Public Opinion and Political Action CHAPTER 6

Introduction Public Opinion The distribution of the population’s beliefs about politics and policy issues. Demography The science of population changes. Census A valuable tool for understanding population changes- required every 10 years.

Political Culture Most (if not all) Americans fall into a large Political Culture: The Characteristic and deep seated beliefs of a particular people about government and politics. This political culture is different from that of other nations and may vary from region to region in the U.S. However, Americans are a part of a larger, common political culture upon which they can all agree.

Aspects of American Culture Political Scientists agree on 3 main aspects: Commitment to Liberty (freedom) Equality Self-government Other aspects that play a prominent role: Private Property Personal Rights Civic Duty

Varying Public Opinion Outside of the main aspects of American Culture, public opinion varies in the U.S. Importance of issues also vary, especially over time. Ex. The War in Afghanistan Global Warming Income Disparity Government Bailouts

How Americans think Politically While all people have their own opinions as a result of their socializing agents, public opinion is a collection of those opinions into similar coherent thought. Three major frames of reference shape public opinion: Partisanship (Party Identification) Ideological Leanings Group Attachments

1. Partisanship

2. Political Ideology Def. Consistent pattern of opinion on particular issues that stems from a core belief or set of beliefs. While most Americans cannot be considered true ideologues (Communists, Socialists, Fascists), Americans have ideological leanings: Liberal and Conservative on the Political Spectrum.

The Political Spectrum Left Right Liberal Conservative Radical Reactionary Moderate

Dividing the Issues In general, political issues can be divided into two categories: Economic Issues: Dealing with money, business, taxes, government regulation of business, Government spending, wealth distribution Cultural (Social) Issues: Dealing with society and the way people live, crime, morality, prison, liberties, rights

Liberals Economic Liberals: Those who believe government should do more to assist people who have difficulty meeting their own economic needs. Cultural (social) Liberals: Those who believe it is not government’s role to support traditional values at the expense of new ones.

Conservative Economic Conservatives: Those who believe government tries to do too many things that should be left to private interests and economic markets. Cultural (social) Conservatives: Those who believe government power should be used to uphold traditional values.

3. Group Orientations Political Opinion is tied to a person’s group or groups in which they belong. Different issues impact different groups differently, therefore the political opinion of members of those groups react accordingly. Ex. Social security is important to seniors, while college tuition is important to young voters,(but not in reverse).

Religious Groups Various religions and their teachings impact members of those religions on various issues. Ex. Abortion Gay Marriage Welfare programs for the poor School prayer

Economic Class Income and education impact political opinion on some issues. Ex. Lower-income are more likely to support welfare and business regulation, while higher-income support free market and tax cuts. But not others. Ex. Union support and collective bargaining is high among blue-collar and factory workers, but not among white collar workers or farmers even though they may have similar income levels

Race and Ethnicity Major impact on civil rights and liberties issues Ex. Black and Hispanic for Affirmative Action, less trusting of police and court system than non-Hispanic Whites Opinions differ in regards to social welfare programs (in general, Black, Hispanic for, White against) but much is also due to income and education.

Gender Men and Women tend to think alike in many issues, with some exceptions: Affirmative Action: Women more pro, Men con Social Welfare: Women pro education spending and welfare programs Military Spending: Men pro use of military than women

Generations and Age Different generations are shaped by the political environment they are born into. This shapes their public opinion. Ex. WWII generation: Civic Duty important Vietnam generation: Mistrust of government Also, issues that are important to one age group may be less important to another Seniors: Social Security Parents: Funding for Public Education Young Adults: College debt

The American People Figure 6.1

America changing

The American People The Regional Shift Reapportionment: The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census. Figure 6.2

The American People The Graying of America Fastest growing group is over 65 Potential drain on Social Security by 2020 “Gray Power” One advantage that no other group has- we are all going to get older

Public Opinion and Boundaries of Action Because of strong public opinion on certain issues, they are considered politically untouchable (called the 3rd Rail, referring to the electrified subway rail you should not touch!) Social Security: reforms in 1980s and 2000s went nowhere Military spending/closing military bases

Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information How Polls Are Conducted Random Sampling: The key technique employed by sophisticated survey researchers, which operates on the principle that everyone should have an equal probability of being selected for the sample. Sampling Error: The level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll.

Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information The Role of Polls in American Democracy Polls help politicians figure out public preferences. Does it make politicians think more about following the polls? Exit Polls- used by the media to predict election day winners. Question wording makes a difference.

Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information What Polls Reveal About Americans’ Political Information Americans don’t know much about politics. Americans may know their basic beliefs, but not how that affects policies of the government. The Decline of Trust in Government Now only about 25% of the public trust the government most of the time or always.

What Americans Value: Political Ideologies Political Ideology: A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose. Who Are the Liberals and Conservatives? Views change over time Currently about 42% conservative, 25% liberal, 34% moderate

What Americans Value: Political Ideologies Liberals: Less military spending Opposed to prayer in schools Favor affirmative action Tax the rich more Solve the problems that cause crime Conservatives: More military spending Support prayer in schools Oppose affirmative action Keep taxes low Should stop “coddling criminals” From Table 6.3

How Americans Participate in Politics Political Participation: All the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders or the policies they pursue. Conventional Participation Voting in elections Working in campaigns / running for office Contacting elected officials

How Americans Participate in Politics Protest as Participation Protest: A form of political participation designed to achieve policy changes through dramatic and unconventional tactics. Civil disobedience: A form of political participation that reflects a conscious decision to break a law believed to be immoral and to suffer the consequences.

Understanding Public Opinion and Political Action Public Attitudes Toward the Scope of Government Many people haven’t thought about it. Democracy, Public Opinion, and Political Action We select our leaders, not policies. We protest for specific policies, not against the government.